When I arrived at the dorms for the Lorena Knight Academy, I was told that I was the only one who didn't have a roommate, because there was an odd amount of students. They could've just said that nobody wanted to room with a witch, it would've been easier because I was the only witch in the entire academy. To make matters worse, it seemed like the teachers already disapproved of me.
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At opening ceremony, I noticed that there were only ten girls in my class. I was approached by a four weird men afterwards.
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"You must be the Hawthorne brat we heard about," the one who might've been the leader said.
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"What do you want?" I asked.
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"We've come to beat the snot out of you," another one said, "Just like that other witch did to us." I frowned, who would say my name so recklessly? Before I could react, they started throwing punches and I tried my best to react on time, but I got hit by most of them. It was 3 vs 1, so it would never have been a fair fight.
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~~~~
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Three years passed since, I was able to beat that group up by the end of my second year and I've been top of my class since then as well, but now I was starting my fourth and final year. I was called to meet with someone and they wouldn't tell me who or why I was called there. When I got there, I saw Princess Hildegard wearing a training uniform and holding a sword. She looked beautiful even in that outfit, but it was obvious that she was taller than I was at that moment. A palace maid was with her.
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"You're Liam Hawthorne, correct?" the princess asked as she pointed the sword at me.
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"That would be me, your highness," I said. Princess Hildegard eyed me suspiciously, but then dropped her sword.41Please respect copyright.PENANAirVV2UC4QP
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"It was very hard trying to find you, Hawthorne," Princess Hildegard said, "And I was told that you were top of your year, I didn't expect you to be so thin."
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"May I ask what you called me for, your highness?" I asked.
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"I want to ask you for a duel," the princess said, "If I win, I will ask you a question that you can answer at any time. If you win, you can ask me a question."
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"Why duel me for a question?" I asked, "You can just ask it."
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"I want to win it fairly, Hawthorne," the princess said, "Are you up for it?"
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"I don't see why not," I said.
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"My maid with be the referee," Princess Hildegard said, "We will both use wooden swords." The maid left to go get wooden swords.
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"You're being very vague about the entire situation, your highness," I said, "I don't quite understand what is going on." She laughed.
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"That should be your question then," the princess said. The maid returned and handed us both a wooden sword.
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"On a count of three, you will begin," the maid said, "One... Two... Three!" I landed a hit on her side right away, but she soon was hitting me more than I could hit her and I eventually lost my sword. "The winner is Princess Hildegard."
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"What was your question?" I asked.
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"Why do you keep appearing in front of my third brother?" Princess Hildegard asked.
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"I don't think I can answer you at this time," I said, absolutely confused.41Please respect copyright.PENANAOZ5497cFqN
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"I understand," the princess said, "That's why I said there was no set time for it to be answered. But, can I tell you a secret?" I frowned, what kind of secret would that be?
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"If you want to," I said. The princess came right next to my left ear and cupped her hand around her mouth.
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"My second brother Johan killed his nursemaid, his wife, and his children," the princess said, "And then he killed himself while he was in jail. We don't like to talk about it, but it's been five years since the incident and my family hasn't been the same." Why would she tell me this?
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"Why did you tell me?" I asked. Princess Hildegard pulled back and smiled at me. It was the kind of smile that made me wonder if she was actually happy or just upset at the situation.
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"You're going to be brother Matthias' bride, right?" Princess Hildegard asked. I blankly stared at her, confused about this entire situation.
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"But, I'm a man..." I said. The princess laughed.
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"What a strange joke," the princess said, "Well, I better be off before my fiancé arrives and wonders where I am."
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"Thank you for the match," I said, "I hope you have a safe trip home."41Please respect copyright.PENANAouY8gwIZVb
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"Thank you, Hawthorne," Princess Hildegard said. They left, what a whirlwind.41Please respect copyright.PENANAVC5g4JZ08T